Bryan Cooper says there has been ’no falling out’ with Gigginstown

Bryan Cooper insisted there had been "no falling out" and he hopes to make it "business as usual" following the announcement he will no longer be the retained rider for leading owners Gigginstown House Stud.

After hitting the headlines with a treble at the Cheltenham Festival in 2013, Cooper was handed the coveted role at the start of 2014, replacing Davy Russell.

The combination has gone on to enjoy great success, winning numerous Grade One prizes with the likes of Identity Thief, Don Poli, and, most notably, 2016 Cheltenham Gold Cup hero Don Cossack.

Cooper’s latest top-level victory in the maroon and white silks of Ryanair supremo Michael O’Leary’s operation was aboard Apple’s Jade in the Mares Champion Hurdle at Punchestown in April, also steering her to Cheltenham glory the previous month.

Gigginstown Stud’s manager, Eddie O’Leary, said: "There’s been no parting company, we’ll still be using him a lot, he just won’t have automatic first choice as of today.

"We’ll still be using and supporting him, but he won’t have first call on the horses, that’s all."

O’Leary revealed the team did not intend to appoint a direct replacement, adding: "There are a lot of good riders out there.

"Be it Bryan or Sean Flanagan or Davy Russell or Jack Kennedy, we’ll be using the best available."

Cooper said in a statement: "I would sincerely like to thank Mr O’Leary and his team at Gigginstown House Stud for the wonderful opportunity of being their retained jockey since January 2014. Their support to me has been immeasurable.

"We have enjoyed great successes and since taking the job I feel privileged and proud to have ridden 28 Grade One winners in the maroon and white silks. Most notably, the 2016 Cheltenham Gold Cup on Don Cossack and other highlighted victories on horses such as Don Poli and Apple’s Jade.

"There has been no parting company or falling out and it’s business as usual. I look forward to continuing being part of the Gigginstown House Stud team and utilising existing relationships with trainers as a freelance jockey.

Leinster have brought the curtain down on the Heineken Champions Cup pool stages with the easiest of victories away to Wasps on Sunday afternoon that confirms for them an all-Irish home quarter-final against Ulster at the end of March.